A massive boost for the Proteas ahead of their third and final ODI against Zimbabwe in Paarl on Saturday with captain Faf du Plessis declared fit to play.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 01: Faf du Plessis gets his 100 runs during the 2nd ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on February 01, 2017 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

The Proteas have received a massive boost ahead of their third and final One Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in Paarl on Saturday with captain Faf du Plessis declared fit to play.

The hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead to Boland Park after clinching the series with a 120-run win in Bloemfontein, thanks to heroics with both bat and ball from Dale Steyn, as well as Imran Tahir, who claimed a hattrick on his way to figures of 6/24.

Du Plessis played just three ODIs when the Proteas beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in August before he was ruled out of the final two and forced to return home with a shoulder injury.

He was then deemed unavailable for selection in the first part of the current series, with veteran all-rounder JP Duminy taking over the reins in the first two matches.

Faf du Plessis welcome return

The 34-year-old’s return will be a welcome return, as the Proteas’ inexperienced top order has struggled severely against the so-called minnows.

Chasing a paltry 118 runs to win in the first ODI in Kimberley, South Africa crawled to the target, losing five wickets in the process, with Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen getting starts before Duminy saw them over the line, alongside Wian Mulder, who pulled out of the series with an injury after his heroics.

The hosts’ batting line-up failed once more in Bloemfontein, collapsing to 101/7 before Steyn got together with Andile Phehlukwayo, with the more senior of the two reaching a maiden List A half-century after the latter’s departure on 28, and helping his to a more competitive total of 198.